In a seismic shift for the Indian Premier League, Aryaman Birla, the former cricketer and son of billionaire industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, has been appointed the Chairman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This follows the historic ₹16,706 crore ($1.78 billion) acquisition of the franchise by an Aditya Birla Group (ABG)-led consortium from United Spirits Limited on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The move marks a full-circle moment for Aryaman, who transitions from a former player in the league to the head of one of its most valuable franchises.
Who is Aryaman Birla?
Aryaman Birla’s journey is a rare blend of professional sports and high-level corporate leadership.
- The Cricketer (2018–2019): A talented left-handed opening batsman, Aryaman represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, notably scoring a resilient century in the Ranji Trophy. He was picked by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 IPL auction for ₹30 lakh. However, citing mental health and a desire to explore other paths, he took an indefinite break from professional cricket in 2019 at the age of 22.
- The Business Leader: After stepping away from the pitch, Aryaman integrated into the Aditya Birla Group. He founded Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality and spearheaded Aditya Birla Ventures, the conglomerate’s venture capital arm.
- The Boardroom Rise: Before taking the helm at RCB, Aryaman earned seats on the boards of industry giants like Hindalco Industries and Grasim Industries, cementing his status as a key decision-maker in the $65 billion empire.
The ₹16,706 Crore RCB Takeover
The acquisition is the largest in IPL history, reflecting the skyrocketing valuation of cricket franchises in 2026.
- Consortium Lead: Aditya Birla Group (ABG) now holds 100% equity.
- The Vision: Under Aryaman’s chairmanship, the group is expected to integrate its vast corporate resources—ranging from fashion to finance—into the RCB brand ecosystem.
- Full-Circle Moment: Aryaman becomes the first former IPL player to transition into the role of a franchise Chairman, bringing a unique “player-first” perspective to the boardroom.